The Plain Dealer: In July 1948, the Cleveland Indians signed Satchel Paige, a 42-year-old pitcher from the Negro Leagues, to a contract. The Indians went on to win the World Series that year. “If you remove Paige’s contribution, in such a tight pennant race, I don’t think the Indians manage to win the AL and go to the World Series,” said Stephanie Liscio, a doctoral student in history and researcher on Negro Leagues history.